Red Sox vs. Tigers Odds
| Red Sox Odds | -125 |
| Tigers Odds | +105 |
| Over/Under | 9.5 (-105/-115) |
| Time | 5:10 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLB.TV |
| Odds via DraftKings, updated Monday at 3 p.m. ET. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
The Boston Red Sox travel to Detroit on Monday to take on the Tigers in the first contest of a three-game series. Detroit won two of its three home games against Boston last season.
Will the Tigers continue their home-field success against the Red Sox, or can Boston pull off the road upset?
Fade Wacha After Ugly Season in 2021?
The Boston Red Sox enter this contest following their opening series against the New York Yankees. I think this first game is potentially a big letdown spot for Boston, as it travels on the road following an emotional opening series against its biggest rival.
Right-hander Michael Wacha is the projected starting pitcher for the Red Sox, and could be a good fade candidate in this matchup. Wacha ended last season on a four-game losing streak to complete one of the worst years he's had in his career. He posted a 5.05 ERA over 29 pitching appearances.
He was even worse when pitching on the road last season, as Wacha's ERA jumped up to 5.61 when he was away from home.
Wacha may not get much run support in this one, as the Red Sox are slated to go against Matt Manning, someone that not a single rostered player has a hit against.
This inexperience could lead to a slow start, at the minimum, for Boston, as it learns and picks up on how Manning pitches. Additionally, facing a right-handed pitcher on the road was a task that the Red Sox struggled with last season.
Against right-handers on the road last year, the Red Sox ranked just 18th in AVG and 22nd in OBP.
Manning Looking to Build on Strong Finish
The Detroit Tigers enter this contest following their opening series against the Chicago White Sox. Detroit won on Opening Day before losing its last two games.
Now the Tigers look to bounce back against Boston.
Manning is the projected starting pitcher for the Tigers following his rookie campaign last year. While Manning's season was not the best, he only gave up 11 runs over his final five starts. The Tigers also won three of those games.
Manning will look to build on that final stretch and carry momentum into this season.
Even if Manning does not have the best outing, I think he will get enough run support to get the job done against Wacha.
Detroit's lineup has combined for 63 career plate appearances against Wacha, posting a .252 xBA, .453 xSLG and .333 xwOBA. Newcomers Javier Baez and Austin Meadows will look to continue to anchor this Tigers lineup, as they have both gotten off to a hot start with their new team.
Red Sox-Tigers Pick
This game certainly features a fishy line. The public will be all over the Red Sox, which makes me even more confident in the Tigers.
Detroit will be better than last year — thanks to its new-look lineup — and Manning has presumably matured after a year of experience in MLB.
Boston enters this road game after an emotional series, and it's a quick turnaround for the Sox to travel into Detroit from New York on zero days of rest.
Pick: Detroit Tigers ML | Play up to (-125)
